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Undiagnosed ADHD in Women Women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem. They struggle to live up to social expectations and internalize their frustration. They may also experience emotional distress, such as rejection sensitivity. This makes them more likely to engage in risky behaviors. ADHD symptoms may also change in response to hormonal changes, like menstruation or pregnancy. This makes it more difficult to determine the cause of ADHD. Symptoms Women may be unable to recognize their ADHD symptoms because they can be disguised. This could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis and the wrong treatment can cause further problems. Women also have trouble diagnosing themselves, particularly in their later years. This could be due to the fact that the criteria for diagnosing were developed based on research done with males. Some experts are working on improving the criteria. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women are usually similar to those of men. For instance, many people with ADHD have trouble concentrating or listening. They might lose track of important tasks or misplace things. They could spend a lot of time organizing their home or work space but do not manage to keep up with it. They are easily distracted by noises or other activities. People with ADHD might have trouble relaxing and worry excessively about themselves or other people. Undiagnosed ADHD can affect girls and women in all aspects of their lives. adhd in women treatment may experience difficulties at school or at work, and struggle with relationships with their friends and romantic partners. They may have low self-esteem or anxiety. They may also resort to unhealthy ways of coping like alcohol or drugs. Undiagnosed ADHD can increase frustration and misunderstandings in relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. They could be judged by coaches and teachers or feel they are being treated unfairly at work. ADHD can cause problems in focusing and keep deadlines. Over the years many people who have not been diagnosed with ADHD have developed strategies to cope. They might work until the early hours of the morning to stay on top of their work or hide from their family members their struggles. When they find out that their struggles are the result of ADHD it's like a lightbulb moment. They can then leverage their strengths to overcome their problems (such as creativity and high levels of energy). Having undiagnosed ADHD can have a lasting impact on the person's career, life, and relationships. It can cause financial instability, social isolation, and even depression. Certain people who suffer from ADHD, who are not diagnosed are prone to developing an addiction to stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines. This can cause serious health issues, such as heart disease and stroke. Diagnosis Women who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be undiagnosed than men because the symptoms are harder to spot. This could be due to the fact that women are more hesitant communicating with health professionals about their issues and are more likely to use coping strategies to mask their ADHD symptoms. These strategies can require changing their behavior, for example, working long hours at school or at work to help compensate for their inability to focus or using productivity tools to keep themselves organized and on task with tasks. These strategies for coping might work for a short time, but they are exhausting and do not last long. Many people are unaware that women they know may have ADHD due to gender stereotypes. Some symptoms may also be worsened by hormonal changes such as those that occur during menstrual cycles, pregnancy or menopause. This could result in women being misunderstood or dismissed as moody and emotionally tense. This adds to the anger of these women. Undiagnosed ADHD symptoms for women include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and impulsivity. They are also prone to jumping between different things and have difficulty maintaining relationships. Undiagnosed ADHD is more common in women. They are also more likely than other people to suffer from co-existing disorders like depression or anxiety. The symptoms of these conditions could be confused with symptoms of ADHD and could result in wrong diagnosis and treatment. It can be difficult to determine the cause of anxiety and ADHD because they share a variety of symptoms. The signs of anxiety include agitation, difficulty in concentration, and a constant sense that something is not right. Anxiety disorders do not have the impulsivity or inattention of ADHD. For women who have not been diagnosed with ADHD getting an official diagnosis could be a game changer. In a number of studies, women reported that their symptoms reduced after they received an expert diagnosis. Finding an external explanation for their problems helped them stop blaming themselves, and instead viewing their own challenges as something they could manage. It can take time to diagnose ADHD and it can be a long time, but it's worth the waiting. Treatment of ADHD through psychotherapy and medication can improve relationships, assist women achieve in school and work, and give them an improved understanding of themselves. Treatment Women and girls have different ADHD symptoms than men. This can make it difficult to identify and treat. They are also more adept at masking their symptoms which makes it difficult to get help or support. This could be due to not remembering appointments, not being able to complete tasks at work or school, and experiencing difficulties in relationships. They could also be more at chance of being pushed into unwanted sexual activity or being victims of intimate partner violence because they have trouble recognizing and resolving their own emotions. The good news is that early diagnosis and effective treatment can have a positive impact on these women. A study from 2020 showed that the absence of a diagnosis or a late diagnosis can have long-lasting negative effects on the social-emotional health of a woman, as well as her ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships. It can also affect her self-worth and sense of control. Many women in these studies reported feeling a sense relief and self-confidence boosting after receiving an assessment and treatment for their ADHD. This is particularly important, because research shows that women with undiagnosed ADHD have lower levels of self-esteem and are less likely to seek treatment than male counterparts. They are more likely to blame their difficulties with attention, impulsivity and organization on personal or societal factors rather than on their ADHD. There are a variety of options for treating adults suffering from ADHD in addition to medication. Some of the most common include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps you identify and change negative thoughts, whereas DBT is a method of teaching mindfulness and self acceptance. Neurocognitive Psychotherapy, which combines elements of these therapies and training in strategies to improve focus and concentration is another option. This treatment is available in individual or group sessions and is developed for adults suffering from ADHD. *Note: In this article, the word “women” is used to refer to people who were assigned female at birth regardless of their gender identity. It also refers to people who were assigned male at birth as “men” which includes all gender identities. Support Many people suffering from ADHD are confused or ashamed of their symptoms. Because social pressures and hormonal changes profoundly influence the way ADHD is perceived by women, it's common for females to be underdetected, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed. This can lead both to inadequate or ineffective treatment, and an increased chance of developing mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Unlike adhd in women treatment , who may suffer from impulsive and hyperactive symptoms more often, women tend to be more adept at masked their symptoms in the workplace or at school. They can become adept at working late into the night, and rely on productivity apps to cover up their lack of attention. The problem is that these coping mechanisms take their toll on self-esteem and ultimately affect the quality of life. Even when women with ADHD seek help, the diagnostic process can be frustrating and confusing. The traditional ADHD criteria were developed for men, so they may not accurately reflect the full range of symptoms women suffer. In the end, many women with not been diagnosed with ADHD are misdiagnosed with other disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Clara was not an exception. Clara was intelligent and hardworking, as well as committed to her work. Yet she struggled to meet deadlines and felt overwhelmed by the demands of her job. She believed that her mistakes were her fault and she wasn't good enough. Her shattered confidence was a direct result of undiagnosed ADHD. It was a shock when she was diagnosed having adult ADHD. Clara realized that her issues weren't her own personal failings. She could no longer view them as signs of laziness and look at her ADHD as an element that could be weaved into a meaningful professional and personal life. As awareness of the various differences in the way ADHD manifests in women increases and the need to encourage inclusion in treatments and research will become more crucial. This is especially true in the areas of specific treatments for sex, as new research is focused on understanding how gender influences the disorder and developing medications that are effective for women. We hope that this leads to better diagnosis and treatment for women suffering from undiagnosed ADHD.